SHEFKI KUQI has revealed he was once a transfer target of Sir Bobby Robson.

And unbeknown to the Flying Finn until last month, he could have became a Newcastle United player seven years earlier – had Sir Bobby not been shown the door.

The 34-year-old shone for Ipswich Town against United in a pre-season friendly against the Magpies at Portman Road in 2004 and gave the then Toon back four a torrid time whilst also getting on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win for the Tractor Boys, yet weeks later Sir Bobby was sacked by Freddy Shepherd.

Kuqi also proved to be a thorn in Newcastle’s side in pre-season in 2003 and scored twice for Sheff Wed in a 4-3 win, in another game which is believed to have caught the eye of the legendary ex-United boss.

Kuqi admitted he was still on cloud nine after signing for the “biggest club” of his career but told the Chronicle: “You always, always try to do your best, and get the best move you can to the biggest club.

“The opportunity to play for a big club hasn’t come before, but it’s quite funny – about three or four weeks ago I was talking to a very good friend of Sir Bobby Robson that I trust.

“I was talking to him on the phone and he said ‘I remember when Bobby was at Newcastle and you scored for Ipswich against them in pre-season’.

“He said Bobby asked about me, and said ‘who’s this bloke Kuqi?’

“He said he was going to try and sign me, but he didn’t know what happened. Obviously, it never happened, and I personally never heard anything.

“But he was a really good friend of Bobby, and he told me. It was good to hear that.”

Kuqi has had a rough ride by some sections of United fans before he’s even kicked a ball in a black-and-white shirt.

But the former Finnish international had a simple message to all United supporters. He said: “My message is quite clear – I’m not going to promise to be Andy Carroll, or whoever.

“They will see me work hard and give everything for the team.

“One thing I will always put in front of myself is the team.

“If we win three points and I don’t score a goal, that doesn’t matter to me.

“I will be more sad if I score two goals and we lose 3-2.

“I will do the best I can for this football club – it’s a pleasure and honour to be here.

“All I’m thinking now is Newcastle, and trying to get the best out of myself.”

Kuqi would love to be performing his famous belly-flop celebration today at his old club Blackburn Rovers.

And when asked on the origins of the celebration, he said: “I started a long time ago. I was doing it, and as I felt better and got a little bit of practice, I was going higher and higher.

“It’s something silly.

“It’s that feeling when you score and you’re excited – you don’t really think what you’re doing sometimes.

“There’s been loads of times after a game when we’ve asked what that was – it’s just a feeling you get.